DURHAM, N.C. — Freshman London Thompson and sophomore transfer Zaria Atkins both scored 10 points for host North Carolina Central University in an 83-54 loss to two-time Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) defending champions Elon University late Tuesday afternoon in McDougald-McLendon Arena.
 
The Phoenix scored 54 points in the second half to secure their first win of the season after being in a close battle with the Eagles throughout the first half.
 
Elon (1-1) converted 28 NCCU (0-2) turnovers into 33 extra points.
 
Sophomore Ariel Colon highlighted play for the victors with a double-double of 13 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Four total Phoenix scored in double digits with sophomore Emily Maupin leading all scorers with 18 points, freshman Brie Perpignan following just behind with 17 points and junior Lexi Powell netting 14 points.
 
Thompson accounted for two of NCCU's three 3-pointers on the way to her 10 points. Atkins made her season debut in the second half and quickly posted 10 points and four assists.
 
Baskets by junior Caira Benton, Thompson, freshman Shontai Totten and junior Paulina Afriyie during a six-plus minute drought by Elon in the first quarter soared the Eagles out to an early 10-4 advantage. The Phoenix scored the next six points to level the score but a late three-pointer and two made free throws by junior Lanay Rodney put NCCU ahead 15-11 after the first quarter.
 
Another three-pointer Thompson to start the second quarter gave the hosts their largest lead at 18-11. NCCU maintained a lead for nearly the first six minutes of the period until a layup by Colon pushed the Phoenix ahead 22-21 at the 4:13 mark. A couple late NCCU turnovers translated into points for the visitors as Elon pushed ahead 31-23 at halftime.
 
The Phoenix never relinquished the lead the second half, making 8 of 15 shots (53.3%) in both the third and fourth quarters.
 
An 8-0 rally by the Eagles that included back-to-back layups by Rodney closed NCCU within nine, 46-37, with 2:34 left in the third quarter. However, Elon finished the period with an 11-3 response to regain a double-figure cushion for the rest of the contest.
 
Elon shot 45.2-percent while holding NCCU to 36.4-percent. The Phoenix also used 12 steals, including four by Maupin, to seal the win. Maupin just missed her own double-double with nine boards.
 
Both teams had 38 rebounds. Freshman Kiyana Brown topped NCCU's defensive efforts with seven rebounds and four blocks.
 
Offensively, Totten followed Thompson and Rodney with eight points. Afriyie, Benton and Rodney all settled for six points.
 
NC Central immediately hits the road and plays at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, on Wednesday at 7 p.m.